Representative Boren issued the following statement explaining the importance of observing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month:

“Like far too many Americans, my life has been touched by cancer.  Twelve years ago I lost my mother, Janna, to colon cancer.  I understand too well the importance of catching this type of cancer early.  Colorectal Cancer is a leading killer in the United States that is made even more tragic  by the fact that early detection procedures are available to prevent much of the suffering and death caused by it.  By creating greater awareness of the disease and its available treatments through events like Colorectal Awareness Month, we can show that this is one cancer that we have the tools to fight back against.  I would like to commend the C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition for their hard work and dedication to raising awareness about this serious, yet highly preventable disease.”

Representative Granger issued the following statement explaining the importance of observing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month:

“Eleven years ago colorectal cancer was a disease that not many people were talking about.  In November 1999, a resolution passed the Senate designating March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  The House passed a supporting resolution in March 2000.  In the years since, advocacy groups like the C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition have increased awareness about colorectal cancer and thousands of Americans have been screened.  The more we talk about this disease, and the more we encourage our family, friends, and neighbors to get screened – the more lives we can save.”

Take a minute and call your Representative at 202-224-3121 and ask them to cosponsor H.Res. 1114, so that this important Resolution can be scheduled for floor consideration by the full House of Representatives.

Over 50 advocates from 17 states and the District of Columbia will participate in the 2010 Call-on Congress.

The fourth annual Call-on Congress is the chance for advocates to hear from leading experts about current issues affecting the colorectal cancer community and to meet with federal legislators and ask them to make colorectal cancer a top priority.  Over the course of three days, March 15th – 18th, the C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition will train colorectal cancer advocates – patients, survivors and caregivers – on how to have successful meetings with their elected officials.  On Wednesday, March 17th, the advocates will take what they learned to the halls of Congress, armed with information, state-specific colorectal cancer statistics, and a call to action: support colorectal cancer legislation that will save money and save lives.

Colorectal cancer affects both men and women, and Representative Dahlkemper’s resolution helps to dispel the myth that this disease affects only men by explaining the impact of the disease on women in the United States.  Nearly 55,000 of the new cases of colorectal cancer in the U.S. this year will occur in women, and nearly 25,000 Americans who will die from colorectal cancer in the U.S. this year will be women.

When diagnosed at an early stage, colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of 90 percent, but when diagnosed late, the five-year survival rate drops to only 10 percent.  Representative Dahlkemper’s resolution encourages women to regularly undergo screening for colorectal cancer as recommended by their doctors.

As we head into Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, it is important to remember the impact this disease has on so many Americans and C3 applauds Representative Dahlkemper for introducing a resolution regarding the impact of colorectal cancer on women.

Advocates followed up C3’s very successful Call-on Congress with a one day phone blitz. Over 400 Congressional offices were reached and our voices were heard loud and clear on The Hill.

BUTT…Our job is not done. We won’t stop until President Obama signs The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act into law. We still need you to contact your Members of Congress via email, fax or phone and ask for their support.

Let Congress know that March may be over, but our message remains the same all year long!

Click here to see which offices were contacted.

That’s all there is to it! Now it’s your turn. Pick up the phone and call now.

On Tuesday, March 24, 2009, C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition advocates participating in the the 2009 Call-on Congress stopped by the House Financial Services Committee hearing that was taking place at the same time. One of our advocates sat down behind Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who was testifying at the time. Viewers of the televised hearings were then treated to the image you see above. Many eagle-eyed colorectal cancer advocates spotted the Cover Your Butt shirt immediately.

C3 advocates were visiting Capitol Hill to urge their legislators to support HR 1189, The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act.

Carlea Bauman, Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), and Joe Arite

Representative Kay Granger (R-TX), C3 advocate Gordon Cole, who is a stage IV colorectal cancer survivor, and C3 President Carlea Bauman will be interviewed about ways to get involved in the fight against colorectal cancer on Tuesday, March 24th at 4 PM EDT/1 PM PST.

The interview will be broadcast on the “Frankly Speaking About Cancer” internet talk radio show on the Voice America™ Network’s Health & Wellness Channel. The show is hosted by The Wellness Community President & CEO Kim Thiboldeaux.

Tune into the show and learn how you can get involved in efforts to create a National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program. The show will also be available to download and listen after the airdate and time at the link below.

Tune in or download the show

Senator Baucus’ health care plan, which many view as the starting point for comprehensive health care reform, has called for lawmakers to make the Medicare buy-in immediately available.

There is a thought that expanding the current system could help cut down on government spending by preventing more costly conditions in the future. “Opening Medicare to Americans in their late 50s or early 60s would help prevent serious health conditions from deteriorating and resulting in higher costs to Medicare once those people turn 65,” said Stuart Guterman, a policy analyst at the Commonwealth Fund. (McClatchy/Charleston Gazette).

Currently, colorectal cancer screenings are covered under Medicare (65+), but the approved guidelines state that regular screenings should begin at 50. That’s a 15 year gap! Studies have shown that the savings to Medicare from catching the disease early, instead of treating a late stage patient, would be in the billions of dollars.

Get into the spirit of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by purchasing a Cover Your Butt t-shirt or baseball jersey.

The baseball jerseys (pictured here) are $20 and the gray, short-sleeved tees (pictured at left and here) are $15.  Both shirts are sized small to XXL.

Visit the C3 store to get geared up.

C3 and our Cover Your Butt Campaign were also recognized for our efforts in building support at the grassroots level, and helping to shape policy decisions so the most effective colorectal cancer prevention and treatments are available to all Americans. Click here to read the resolution.

The resolution was introduced alongside HR 1189, the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act. The bill would create a National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.